Nelson and District Women’s Centre offers free volunteer training program
By Contributor
The Nelson and District Women’s Centre’s free volunteer training program, Rooted in Community, offers local and area women the opportunity to build strengths, gain valuable skills, and contribute their time and energy as volunteers in their communities.
Offered twice a year at the Women’s Centre, the program consists of eight sessions of 2.5 hours, taking place over a one-month period on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from May 11th to June 4th.
During the program, participants are taught how to be effective volunteers while learning about community resources and building active listening and peer counselling skills.
A past participant shared her experience by saying, “participating in the Rooted in Community Volunteer Training was a very worthwhile and rewarding experience; I learned so much about the many caring people who give so generously of their time and energy to help others in our community, and in the process, the workshop helped prepare me to be a more well-informed and confident volunteer myself.”
In addition to practical skills, women gain confidence and become empowered as they share life experiences with the group, and build a stronger sense of community.
Says Program Coordinator, Leah Lychowyd:
“The program offers an opportunity for women to not only connect with one another and learn, but to experience a safe space where they can be heard without judgment.” We also learn about social justice issues, including intersectional feminism and how these systemic issues affect women living in our community.
Rooted in Community is especially beneficial to women who may be feeling isolated or disconnected, women who are new to the area and wish to get to know their community and make friends, or women with barriers to full employment seeking transferable skills to enhance their resume and job prospects.
The program also benefits Nelson and the surrounding area by providing thoroughly-trained, knowledgeable volunteers who go on to contribute to the Women’s Centre and many other local organizations.
The Nelson and District Women’s Centre is a warm, welcoming, barrier-free environment open to any self-identified women.
The next Rooted in Community will run May 11th – June 4th, and is receiving applications until May 5th.
Interested women should call Leah at 250-352-9916 or l[email protected] for more information or to apply.
Application forms are also available on the website www.nelsonwomenscentre.com
